Perth Maraget River Caves Guide - Which caves to choose?

There are over 100 caves in Margaret River Region. Which ones should you choose?

Even though there are 100 of caves, only a fistful is open to the public. Thewell-known caves that are often featured are Ngilgi Caves, Jewel Caves, Mammoth Caves and Lake Caves. These caves are managed by private firms and more popularly known as Show Caves.


Off the beaten track are Calgardup Caves and Giant Caves. These 2 are managed by Parks and Wildlife Services (Govt of Western Australia). They are less 'developed' but promises an authentic experience.
Here is a guide of caves and what to expect.

Ngilgi Caves
Location: 76 Yallingup Caves Road, Yallingup, Western Australia, 6282, Australia
Price: 2 Adults 2 Child ($58)
Semi-Guided Tour or choose your own adventure tours
Suitable for young kids

Ngilgi Caves

Ngilgi Caves was discovered in 1899 and are the first caves that are open to the public. The main tour is semi-guided where you are free to explore on your own for certain periods. For the more adventurous, there are adventure tours available ( not suitable for young) where you need to climb to explore. This is the nearest cave to Dunsborough and the first cave you will pass through if you are travelling from Perth.

Kids Friendly cave- Nigili Caves

Suitable for younger kids. There are mini caves for kids to explore. Besides, spot the beautiful formation created by nature in the cave. If you like to sing, there is a chamber that amplifies your voices. Singing there would be a surreal experience.

Rock Formation

Jewel Caves
Location: Jewel Caves Rd, Deepdene WA 6290.
Price: 2 Adults and 2 Kids $58
Fully Guided
Suitable for kids

Entrance to Jewel Caves

Billed as the largest show caves with 3 massive chambers, this cave is home to one of the largest straw stalactites found in Australia.

Jewel Caves

This is a fully guided tour. The tour guide will give you a brief history of the caves with stories such as Tasmanian Tigers that fall into the caves and vanish.

Jewel caves are well lighted. There is even a mini light show during the tour to bring out the sparkle in the caves.

Light show at Jewel Caves

We recommend combining this visit with a morning whale watch and nearby Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse tour.

Mammoth Caves
Location: Caves Road, Forest Grove, WA, 6285, Australia
Price: 2 Adults and 2 Kids $58
Self Guided Tour
Suitable for kids. First Chamber is accessible by Wheelchair

Mammoth Caves Entrance

Mammoth caves are one of the larger show caves in Margaret River. Unlike Ngilgi Caves and Jewel Caves, there are no guides to bring you around. You will be provided with the audio self-guided system to explore at your own pace. If you are looking for serenity, visit the caves during off-peak hours to enjoy the tranquillity of the caves.

Mammoth Caves is huge

Unlike the earlier two caves, there are no fancy lights in the caves. It is basking in white light that showcases the natural stage of the caves. The first chamber of the caves is accessible by wheelchair too.

Look closely and you may spot a fossil or two on the walls of the caves.

Rock formation @ Mammoth Caves

Be awe by natural structures such as the inverted 'ice cream cone' and the lighted golden rock found within the caves.

Mammoth Caves Margaret River

If you are a hiker, you might like to take the slightly longer bush walk back from the exit of the caves to the carpark.

Marri Trail

For city folks, this is a pretty safe way to get acquainted with nature. Mammoth caves are one of the 4 public caves found on Caves Road towards the impressive Boranup Forest. The other three are Calgardup Caves, Giant Caves and Lake Caves. If time permits, you can combine all three caves in one day!

Let's Walk

Lake Caves
Location: Caves Rd & Conto Rd, Forest Grove WA 6286, Australia
Price: 2 Adults and 2 Kids $58
Guided Tour
Suitable for kids
 

Source: Shutterstock

Lake Caves is famous for being the only cave in Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge that has its own permanent lake. The main attraction will be the 'suspended table' ( seen above) that seems to float above the water. A magnificent natural sight to behold.

Lake Caves, Mammoth Caves, Jewel Caves and Ngilgi Caves are managed by the same management. If you are visiting more than one caves, we recommend you to consider the 2 to 4 cave passes for better savings.


Calgardup Caves
Location: Caves Rd, Boranup WA 6286, Australia
Price: 2 Adults and 2 children $40
Self Guided
Suitable for adventurous kids.  Not recommended for toddlers.

Calgardup caves are one of the two caves that are managed by the DEC ( Department of Environment and Conservation. It is a self-guided tour. This is the cave where you explore by torchlight in total darkness. The cave is only 27m deep with 2 branches each about 150m long. It may be the smallest cave we visit but it is one of the more thrilling ones we have been to. In spite of the distance, walking in total darkness for 150m each way actually feels like an eternity!

Bend down, please

Some passages are only 1.4 metres tall and adults will need to watch their heads when they walk. Helmets are provided for this trip. The coolest part of the tour is that when you reach the end of the branch, you could choose to switch off all lights and enjoy the silence. It was total darkness when we did that and we only had the sound of dripping water to accompany us. You would not even see your hand if it is just in front of you!
That said, toddlers might not appreciate the darkness and may not be suitable for this tour.

Complete the experience with a walk at the bush for about 800 meters.
Calgardup may not be as fancy as the privately owned show caves, but if you are looking to explore caves the old fashion way, this will be it!

Giant Caves
Location: Caves Rd, Boranup WA 6286, Australia
Price: 2 adults and 2 kids $45 
For kids age 6 and above.

For the more adventurous, Giant Caves would present the ultimate adventure cave experience in Margaret River. Here, you will have to negotiate vertical ladder climbs and rock scrambles, tight spots and gigantic chambers, natural cave floor and constructed walkways for more than half a kilometre in the 86m deep Giants Cave. The experience is only open for kids 6 and above. Do wear proper shoes ( no slippers/sandals) as you need to manoeuvre over rock formations to explore the cave.


For more Margaret River Adventures, check out the following posts.

• Self Drive Margaret River - One Week Itinerary
• Self Drive Perth - One Week Adventure

*Prices accurate as of the time of posting